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Topic: Cavalry Tips (Read 2311 times)

Thought I would move this here before the other forum closes down as I had included a fair bit of research. Some of the arguements I made where contested so don't take everything researched as literal rules since there are plenty of exceptions in history:

************************************************************************THE PURPOSE OF THIS TOPIC IS MERELY TO SHARE CAVALRY TIPS AND RELATIVE HISTORICAL INFORMATION(Please post criticism/bitching about cavalry or general griefing in the other relevant topics.) I will add more points as I think of them. Feel free to post your tips and experiences with cavalry. ************************************************************************

LIGHT CAV (Lancers and Hussars):

PRIMARY ROLE: Reconnaissance, screening, advance guard and pursuit missions. Can also act as pickets and vandettes (mounted sentinels deployed forward of an outpost).

TIPS: The first rule is to ride in numbers for maximum effect and to use your speed to your advantage. Stay on the move; Its harder for enemy infantry to target fast moving cavalry especially at a distance. Do not use frontal assault tactics; engage enemy flanks if you have to but your best bet it is to circle the enemy from a distance and swoop in to pick off stragglers that have stopped to reload their musket while the rest of the enemy group have moved on. When in numbers; swoop and feign attacks in order to grab the enemy player’s attention while another player swoops in from behind. Abort your attack and turn your horse if the enemy infantry man is facing you and has enough time to raise his bayonet. Your job as light cavalry is not to engage in a pitched battle but to make contact with the enemy, screen his movement(s) and pursue him at every turn waiting for a weakness to present itself. As a lancer you have the added advantage of range with your lance, use it to pick off entrenched enemies that are hiding behind barricades (make sure you stay on the move and time your approach so that you arrive while the majority of the enemy are reloading). As a lancer you cannot block so maintain your distance. You can and in some cases should engage enemy cavalry before they become a problem for your team’s infantry, but be careful as your horse is extremely vulnerable thus, the best attack, same as any attack on infantry: is from the side or behind.

BENEFITS TO YOUR TEAM: When playing infantry myself, I appreciate when the light cavalry run ahead in order to scout out the battlefield and harass enemy infantry or cavalry. The benefits to me are:

a) The location of battle becomes audible and therefore the enemy’s position is made clear to infantry units who may not have a clear view of the battlefield and are otherwise in danger of making contact with the enemy while unprepared. This also occasionally saves the infantry from wasting valuable time searching randomly and gets them to move in a straight line to the action (large maps or urban maps mainly).

b) The enemy is preoccupied by the harassment of light cavalry thereby lessening the concentration of fire levied against friendly but slow moving infantry from enemy units that may or may not be entrenched / fortified.

c) Can cause confusion / fear among enemy players who are forced to turn every few seconds at the sound of approaching hooves while simultaneously being engaged in melee with friendly infantry. This can provide valuable openings for bayonet/sword swings.

d) Can force enemy infantry players who are being circled by your cavalry to stay closer together (ie: bunch up) which makes it more likely/easier to hit large numbers for both musket and cannon (it can also force them to dig in which is not always a good thing).

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The primary missions given the light cavalry were reconnaissance, screening,advance guard, and pursuit missions. They could also be subdivided into smaller-sizedunits for use as pickets and vedettes (mounted sentinels deployed forward of an outpost).As British historian Sir Charles Oman describes, the hussars were, “Intended to be thelightest of light cavalry, and were to find their proper sphere in raids and reconnaissancerather than in pitched battles. Napoleon relied on his light cavalry to gain and maintaincontact with the enemy and to screen his movements. A successful screen would denythe enemy valuable information with regard to the location, size, and composition ofNapoleon’s forces. The light cavalry was also employed as couriers and used to securethe French lines of communication. Along with reconnaissance, however, one of themost significant contributions the light cavalry made to Napoleon’s campaigns was in therole of pursuit. Often it was the use of the light cavalry, pursuing a defeated andretreating enemy, which proved decisive in completing the destruction of the enemy force.

TIPS: While most of the tactics of the light cavalry can apply to dragoons, the dragoons have the added benefit of carrying carbines or cavalry muskets meaning they can ride out to a piece of strategic terrain that the enemy team seems to continually run for, say a house, and hold it until friendly infantry arrive. The main map where I’ve seen this tactic employed successfully is Roxburgh. Dismounting for cover and taking pot shots at the enemy for a while only to remount and displace is another tactic I’ve seen used but I can’t say for certain how effective it is (your lucky if some bugger doesn’t steal your horse). It certainly is annoying for enemy infantry if the run a mile for nothing. Medium cav is a good mid range cavalry that’s mainly used to fill gaps when weaknesses arise given the mobility and firepower. You should engage enemy cav when they threaten your team, dismount to lend a hand to infantry when needed and engage enemy infantry keeping in mind the aforementioned tactics of the light cav. Watch out when engaging lancers head on however. Firing at the enemy, while riding towards them is fun but very inaccurate. Choose your shots carefully and fire when close unless you’re a keen swordsman. If you need to reload, try to move your horse behind cover first, since its not a good idea to stay stationary around enemy infantry for too long as it makes you easier to hit.

BENEFITS TO THE TEAM:

a) It’s always better to arrive on a hill or at a house that’s already in friendly hands rather than arriving only to have to take it from an entrenched/fortified enemy first.

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Napoleon’s next category of cavalry was his medium cavalry, better known asdragoons, of which he inherited twenty regiments. The dragoons were equipped with along straight sword (for thrusting), pistols, a dragoon musket (which was shorter than theinfantry models), and a bayonet. They typically wore brass helmets and tall boots,which were unsuited for dismounted action. Because of their mobility and increasedfirepower, as compared to other cavalry units, dragoons were used to seize key terrain forthe main body or employed on the flanks with security force missions, all of which areexamples of shaping operations using current doctrinal terms. Dragoons were alsoemployed as battle cavalry for charges and were used extensively as mountedinfantrymen in Spain. Napoleon found himself in the middle of an age-old debate of whether thedragoons were mounted infantrymen or cavalrymen with increased firepower. During the30-Year War, dragoons were primarily mounted infantrymen. As Sir Charles Omandescribes, “They were men with firearms who had been provided with horses in orderthat they might move rapidly, not light cavalry furnished with a musket for skirmishingpurposes.” By the eighteenth century, however, dragoons became more like cavalry and lesslike mounted infantry. For example, Frederick the Great employed his dragoons ascavalry with carbines or muskets. Because of their speed of mobility and firepower,Frederick’s dragoons were expected to seize ground when infantry units wereunavailable, and take charge of the skirmish line. Thus Frederick capitalized on thecavalry trait of mobility to shore up a potential weak point on the battlefield.As Napoleon considered the force structure of his military at a junction, he turnedthe role of the dragoon back to that of mounted infantry. As such, he ordered thereplacement of the knee- high boots with gaiters to aid in dismounted operations.Napoleon even went as far as planning to use dragoons as mounted infantrymen for hiscross-channel invasion of England.

HEAVY CAV (Cuirassiers, Carabiniers)

PRIMARY ROLE: Held in reserve for decisive operations (ie: crucial moments that decide the outcome of a battle), used exclusively for battle. TIPS: Heavy cavalry is slow but the heavy cavalry horses have more hit points than any other cavalry. While a head long charge at full speed into a bayonet may kill it in one hit, it usually takes more than one bayonet thrust to kill a heavy cavalry horse. As of the recent patch heavy cav players also have a small armor stat. Historically the armor was deisgned to protect against musket shots at long range but did little to stop a musket shot from close range. They were NOT bulletproof. Ultimately you are still easy to kill and on a slower moving horse that can make you an easy target. Keep in mind however that your horse does more ramming damage than any other cav type, this is useful for wearing an enemy down and or killing already wounded enemy soldiers, but the lack of speed makes this cav a type to be used in numbers. Historically heavy cavalry was specifically bred (and costly) for its role in carrying big men into battle. Heavy cav was also used in conjunction with artillery, where the barrage would soften the enemy up and the heavy cavalry would be used on mass, concentrated in an area in order to penetrate the enemy’s lines. Your role as heavy cav is to engage the enemy at a crucial moment preferably in a spot where the enemy is about to brake or run away towards their friends because their numbers have thinned out in the area your attacking. For inexperienced heavy cav members such as myself, I have found it useful to exercise patience and wait for friendly infantry and light cavalry to wear down the enemy before I committed to a charge. I also found heavy cavalry useful for engaging enemy cavalry that was harassing friendly infantry (the added protection and hit points meant I could swing for the enemy’s horses in order to at least render them harmless while enemy swords where less likely to de-horse me first). Not so good for chasing down enemy light cav however. If your unsure what to do while waiting for said decisive moment to arise you can always try an protect you teams cannons and discourage any commando infantry or cav advances behind your lines, your artillery men will thank you as I often see light cav flanking, infiltrating and raiding cannon positions.

BENEFITS TO THE TEAM:

a) Knocking down an enemy while dealing out damage gives opportunities for nearby infantry to pounce and bayonet fallen enemies.

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During battle, Napoleon’s heavy cavalry was typically held in reserve to becommitted at the critical place and critical time to deliver the decisive blow against theenemy. Thus, the cavalry’s commitment to the main battle proved decisive. Followingthe main battle, light cavalry was used to pursue elements of the foe and complete totaldestruction of the enemy’s force, which was habitually Napoleon’s objective. Therefore,with sufficient and well-trained cavalry, Napoleon’s victories were decisive, as in theJena-Auerstadt Campaign of 1806; without it they were hollow, or at best Pyrrhic, as inthe Saxony campaign of 1813. Clausewitz summed up the value of the pursuit when hestated, “Only the pursuit of the beaten enemy gives the fruits of victory.”The final category of cavalry Napoleon inherited was the twenty- five regiments ofheavy cavalry.14 The heavy cavalry was broken down into two types, the cuirassiers andthe carabiniers a cheval. These were the big men on big horses who were held in reserveexclusively for service in battle. Due to their large size and heavy armor, whichincreased their protection and survivability, the heavy cavalry was Napoleon’s decisivecombat arm that could deliver a devastating blow upon enemy units when properlyemployed. In context of current doctrine, the heavy cavalry would be kept almostexclusively for decisive operations.Typically heavy cavalry charges were used in conjunction with the artillery.Following an artillery barrage, the heavy cavalry charged forward in mass in order topenetrate enemy lines and exploit any tactical success. Napoleon also used his heavycavalry to counterattack any enemy cavalry assault.In order to preserve the combat effectiveness of the heavy cavalry in battle, thetasks of courier duty, screening, reconnaissance, and pursuit typically fell to lightercavalry units so that the heavy cavalry could be employed with maximum effectiveness atthe critical time in battle. Napoleon was even quoted as saying, “Under no considerationshall cuirassiers be detailed as orderlies. This duty shall be done by lancers; evengenerals shall use lancers. The service of communications, escort, sharpshooters, shall bedone by lancers.” The cuirassiers were also uniquely equipped. Their name derived from the metalbreastplate, cuirass, they wore. To further increase their survivability, Napoleon orderedthat a back plate be added to the cuirass as well as equipping these units with steelhelmets. The structural criteria for the breastplate was specified to be able to withstandone shot “at long range.”16 While the cuirass did not necessarily prove effective againstmusket fire at short range, it could withstand shots from pistols as well as attacks fromlances, sabers and bayonets. For offensive weapons the heavy cavalry troopers wereissued a longer straight sword for thrusting, two pistols, and either a musketoon orcarbine “so they could deal with small bodies of enemy infantry in villages or defiles.”17The carabiniers a cheval were similarly equipped but did not wear armor, like thecuirassiers until 1809. Originally known as the horse grenadiers, they were fitted withcarbines instead of pistols for the Danube Campaign of 1809. They did, however, havethe reputation of being hand picked and, therefore, the favored force, sometimes referredto as royal pets. Needless to say they developed the attitudes to match.18Although Napoleon’s heavy cavalry had the reputation of being well equippedand provided for, they did have their drawbacks. With regard to cuirassiers, Napoleononce stated, “One result of having men of large stature, is the necessity of large horses,which doubles the expense and does not render the same service.” Because of the sizerequirements for the horses, only large breeds were accepted into the regiments.

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THE GOLDEN RULE:A frontal charge is always the least desirable form of attack and cavalry lone wolfing is seldom as rewarding as cavalry in numbers. Full frontal cavalry charges did happen during the Napoleonic wars, but, usually as either a last resort or in the confidence of victory. The results have always varied drastically. An example:

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Marshal Contades is reputed to have said bitterly after the battle: “I never thought to see a single line of infantry break through three lines of cavalry ranked in order of battle and tumble them to ruin.”

My view is that there are so many factors (in real life battles) that can determine success or loss, that its impossible to factor them all into a game but for every scenario there are constantly differing outcomes. If your planning to do a full frontal charge then do it as a last act of an already won battle or a desperate attempt to save the battle from defeat, as any experienced infantry melee players will no doubt destroy your charge:

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In conclusion, most cavalry vs. cavalry and cavalry vs. infantry interactions were probably decided before the two sides came into contact, but it is not improbable that at least some cavalry units were actually able to charge and come into contact with unbroken infantry. The greatest doubt lies in the who, the where, and the when--though it is clear that contact followed by hand-to-hand fighting between two unbroken lines was generally the exception among infantry-cavalry interactions, it is not an easy matter to decide how prevalent these exceptional cases were. I think nobody would disagree if I say that we still need a great deal more research before we can resolve that doubt. http://l-clausewitz.livejournal.com/141888.html

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Historians such as John Keegan have shown that when correctly prepared against (such as by improvising fortifications) and, especially, by standing firm in face of the onslaught, cavalry charges often failed against infantry, with horses refusing to gallop into the dense mass of enemies[1], or the charging unit itself breaking up. However, when cavalry charges succeeded, it was usually due to the defending formation breaking up (often in fear) and scattering, to be hunted down by the enemy.[2]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charge_%28warfare%29#cite_note-0

**************************************************************VIDEOS:**************************************************************Small video of me playing light cav with a few really basic tips:

I still suck at cav but was really fun to try and coordinate. Another time I played heavy cav in Avignon and there were 5 of us, 2 heavy cavs and 3 dragoons, we ended up riding back and forth along the main road and kicking ass.Small video of a heavy cavalry flank charge. Our officer held us back and observed the battle from his spyglass until he felt the moment was right to charge the enemy position. Our team's infantry used the moment of our attack to initiate a charge and the battle was won:

**************************************************************LITERATURE RESOURCES:**************************************************************The rarity of full frontal charges in history discussed:http://l-clausewitz.livejournal.com/141888.html

Napoleon's main use of heavy cavalry was to keep them in reserve and to trot them out only for decisive operations and mop ups. Occasionally however, when his situation grew desperate he did in fact trot them out for a frontal charge (as is the case in the battle of Eylau). At Eylau Napoleon sent Murat with 10,700 cavalry to charge the Russian center in order to buy himself some time. At one point Napoleon had to send in more cavalry to ensure Murat and his cavalry wouldn't become encircled. Some of the Russian infantry managed to withstand several charges before eventually succumbing or withdrawing. All in all the battle proved indecisive and the casualties to Murat's 10,000 strong cav force are estimated at over 1,500 although the exact numbers are unknown. It was the largest cavalry charge of its time.

Except and source:

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Napoleon saw that Murat would have to be cut free and ordered forward thecavalry of the Guard. The guard cavalry smashed through everything, cutting a path forMurat’s trapped cavalry to withdraw. The cost was heavy though. General Dahlmann,Aide de Camp to Napoleon and previous commander of the Chasseurs of the Guard, waskilled. General Lepic, commander of the Guard Grenadiers, was wounded.45 Murat hadlost over 1,500 cavalry (either killed or wounded) in the assault. General D'Hautpoul,who commanded the cuirassiers, was killed and General Grouchy was wounded.Additionally, four regimental commanders were lost in what would become know as thegreatest cavalry charge of the Napoleonic wars.http://www.jeux-histoire.fr/doc/MURPHY.pdf

******************************************************************EXCERPTS FROM A U.S. BAYONET MANUAL 1852******************************************************************

Gomard lays it down as a principle, thatthe most formidable antagonist an infantrysoldier can encounter is an infantry soldier;that the bayonet is more formidable thaneither the lance or the sabre. This assertionmay seem surprising, but trial will convinceany one of its truth, and of the consequentfact that an infantry soldier who can parrythe attacks of a well-drilled infantry soldierhas nothing to fear from a cavalry soldier,because simple variations of the parriesagainst infantry are perfectly effective againstthe sabre and lance, e.g. the parries in hightierce and high quarte.The work of Gomard was translated bythe author of the present work about twoyears ago, and taught by him to the noncommissionedofficers of the company of sapperswith which he was then on duty. Thenon-commissioned officers soon became competentto instruct the men, and the systemwas in successful operation when the authorwas relieved from duty with the company.

Instance of two men vs 25 cav

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It will be proper to remark that any systemof fencing with the bayonet can, in service,have its full and direct applicationonly when the men are isolated, or in veryopen order; as, for instance, when employedas skirmishers, in assaulting breaches, fieldworks,or batteries, or when broken by cavalry,etc. etc. When in the habitual formation,as infantry of the line, the small intervalallowed each file, and the method ofaction of masses, will prevent the possibility,or necessity, of the employment of muchindividual address; but even then, in theshock of a charge, or when awaiting the attackof cavalry, the men will surely be moresteady and composed, from the consciousnessof the fact that they can make good use oftheir bayonets, and easily protect their personsagainst everything but balls.There is an instance on record of a Frenchgrenadier, who, in the battle of Polotsk, defendedhimself, with his bayonet, against thesimultaneous attack of eleven Russian grenadiers,eight of whom he killed. In the battleof Sanguessa, two soldiers of Abbe*'s divisiondefended themselves, with their bayonets,against twenty-five Spanish cavalry, and,after having inflicted several severe wounds,rejoined their regiment without a scratch.At that period there was little or no regularinstruction in the use of the bayonet.

The thrust and lunge-out vs cavalry:

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The use of the arms is independent of theuse of the legs; the first is often sufficient toreach the body of the adversary. There arethree methods of using the arms the thrust,the lunge, the lunge-out.Of these Uiree the thrust is the best, because,since the hands retain their usual positionon the piece, the aim is more certain,and the parry of a riposte easier; the thrustshould, therefore, be used whenever the disfanceof the antagonist will permit it.The lunge reaches as far as the thrust withthe development; it is a very rapid and quitesure blow far preferable to the lunge-out;it, however, exposes the fencer to a quickriposte, which would be difficult to parry,especially on the outside.The lunge-out reaches farther than eitherof the preceding, but it throws the piece socompletely out of control, that it should onlybe used against an antagonist who cannotriposte, or is endeavoring to escape; it maybe used with advantage against the horse ofa cavalry soldier, to keep him at a distance.

But my style with heavy cav is a little different, I'll ride round cutting down people from behind, the sides and sometimes I'll charge straight. But if I'm unable to get around someone, I'll get off my horse and kill them on foot.

However what caught my eye was the psychological not physical, that was apparant throughout time. The Parthians required their cataphract infantry to smash the enemy infantry, they did not count on skill, instead they counted on the fact that there cavalry would unneerve the enemy enough that they would begin to rout thus smashing them, this diidnt work at Carrhae instead other tactics triumphed. Yet the same can be said for all battles, Ancient, Medieval and Napoleonic.

I hereby present Crusader with the Blobdominican medal for Bravery above and beyond the call of duty in his role as AdminBorn of the FSE servers. We have also arranged some lovely flowers & a kitten to commemorate the occasion.Thanks Crusader for all of your work in the community!

However what caught my eye was the psychological not physical, that was apparant throughout time. The Parthians required their cataphract infantry to smash the enemy infantry, they did not count on skill, instead they counted on the fact that there cavalry would unneerve the enemy enough that they would begin to rout thus smashing them, this diidnt work at Carrhae instead other tactics triumphed. Yet the same can be said for all battles, Ancient, Medieval and Napoleonic.

I read your essay about Carrhae. I thought it was excellent

As to cav being physiological, I find if I know cav are about in NW, I will play carefully and get somewhat jumpy

Whenever I'm playing a hussar I like to charge the enemy straightforward, like I'm just some newcomer who charges at people dead-on with his blade up, but then move sharply at the climax with a swing of the blade. Works almost every time even on skilled players (I'm sure this is common knowledge for good cav players)

Whenever I'm playing a hussar I like to charge the enemy straightforward, like I'm just some newcomer who charges at people dead-on with his blade up, but then move sharply at the climax with a swing of the blade. Works almost every time even on skilled players (I'm sure this is common knowledge for good cav players)

Yeah charging full frontal with a left/right (left has better reach) turn just at the apex of the charge can yield some good results, should be timed correctly though. Usually its best just after the enemy's bayonet strike has reached the end of its strike and is being retracted.

Yeah, that works too, but a lot of the time I don't time it right and it takes a while of me circling them waiting for the right moment... As a hussar, dat charge with dat shock value, really yields good results with the quick-turn